Stockholmers rejoice – blue skies and longer evenings are officially here! But even with all that extra time, the following list should keep you busy enough this April – whether you’re a liquorice lover, a green-fingered gardener, or a shopping zealot!
Stockholm Vintage Fair
For the eleventh time running, Bakåt:Framåt is organizing their biannual vintage fair in central Stockholm. A mecca for fashion fans, retro rooters and second-hand zealots, the fair generally attracts more than 2,000 visitors over the two days. This year, organizers say the fair will feature some 40 exhibitors and hand picked garments, shoes and accessories will be available for purchase. Fawning fashionistas are advised to bring cash though, as many stalls will not take card.
When: April 6th and 7th, 11am to 5pm
Where: Drottninggatan 81 (Metro: Hötorget)
Cost: 60 SEK (Cash only)
Stockholm Tap Festival
Organized by dancers and celebrating the art, techniques and sounds of tap dancing with a professional gala showcase on Monday April 1st (at 8pm). Festival passes spanning the entire program are available and the festival will include workshops, performances, evening parties and appearances from international teachers. You can view the festival’s homepage here to uncover events and videos of what to expect.
When: Until April 2nd.
Where: Årsta centre and Årsta Folkets Hus, Hjälmarsvaägen 28, 120 53, Årsta
Cost: Beginner day pass 600 SEK, classes very according to levels/activity, see price listing here
Power ballad club night, Färgfabriken
Friday night, start the month as you mean to go on. It’s back to the ’80’s and ’90’s, we’d imagine! Come to drink and dance at Färgfabriken‘s main hall club night – which gained a lot of popularity in town last summer.
When: April 6th, 21.00 – 03.00
Where: Färgfabriken, Lövholmsbrinken 1 (Tbana – Liljeholmen)
Nordic Gardens – Trädgårdsmässan
The leading trade fair for gardening in the Nordics, with website available here, generally reaches over 55,000 visitors and comes to Stockholm for planting displays and garden exhibitions just in time for Spring.
Whether you’re a serious gardener, have an allotment or a tiny balcony in Stockholm, come and view nursery plants and visit seminars, the event is complete with an app guide available to download for free during events.
When: 11th- 14th April, 9am to 6pm
Cost: 140 SEK
Liquorice Festival – Lakrits
A taste celebrated in Sweden and now brought to you with gusto at the annual Liquorice Festival. Last year saw over 7,000 visitors and this year’s event shall be held an Annexet, in the Ericsson globe. Manufacturers, lecturers and creators shall be showing varieties of liquorice with tastings throughout. According to Tuija Räsänen, who runs the ‘Choklad & Lakrits‘ store in Stockholm, “chocolate is like classical music and liquorice is like rock n’roll”. Does one need any better reason to go?
When: April 20-21st
Where: Annexet (Metro: Globen)
Cherry Blossom Day in Kungsträdgården
The best sign that Spring has come to the capital is when the cherry trees in inner-city park Kungsträdgården flower. Come celebrate with follow Stockholmers amidst the pink flower petals. Stage performances 1pm to 3pm.
When: April 20th, 12pm to 4pm
Where: Kungsträdgården(Metro: Kungsträdgården)
Cost: Free of charge
Stockholm Culture Night 2013
Hundreds of activities are planned across town and go on throughout the night. For the fourth consecutive year dozens of bars, restaurants and organisations are taking part, showing art, performances and film . To view the complete program – divided by districts – for more details click here. Dance, photo and literature events combine socializing, drinks, as well as moonlight wallks through the city . The event is free of charge and last year over 95,000 visitors attended.
When: Saturday April 20th. 6pm-12am
Various venues
Free admission
Stockholm Culture Night Afterparty – Efterfest!
For those who just can’t get enough; if midnight rolls around and the culture night left you wanting more and with no desire to head home, head over to the Stockholm City Hall, on Kungsholmen. In the Blue Hall and the Golden Hall the fun will abound for free and is open to all until 3am. This event is held in conjunction with the City Council.
When: April 20th, 10.30pm-3am. Over 18 years of age
Where: Hantverkargatan 1, Kungsholmen.
Free of charge
Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis) at Skansen
No April would be complete without he traditional Walpurgis Night celebrations on April 30th. On this night Swedes gather around huge bonfires to sing songs and welcome Spring to their northern shores.
Although Walpurgis night is celebrated the most intensely in the university towns of Uppsala and Lund, Stockholm’s open-air museum Skansen will host celebrations in the city. These include a burning pyre and sometimes fireworks or firecrackers. The Nordic Museum will be organizing singing around the fire and information online can be found here.
When: April 30th, 12.30pm until 10pm
Where: Skansen at Djurgården
